(SR4) Sigma 18-35mm A-mount could ship in January.

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I got confirmation from a source that the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 A-moun lens will be released in January. You can preorder the lens at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here). P.S.: Dpreview picked up this lens as one of the best products of the year.

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Message to sources: You can send me more info anonymously by using the contact form you see on the very right of your browser. You can also contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com.

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Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!

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New firmware update for the QX cameras..

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Sony released a new QX camera firmware update. And a couple of nice things have been added. Just read the official press text:

New PlayMemories Mobile™ App Version 4.0 Adds Photo Browsing, Faster Connection Speeds; New Firmware Adds Full HD video shooting, Expanded ISO Range and more

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 18, 2013 – Sony Electronics has announced plans for a software and firmware update designed to improve the overall usability, speed and functionality of the Cyber-shot QX100 and QX10 “Lens-style” Cameras.

SOFTWARE UPDATE

The software update for the PlayMemories Mobile™ application – Version 4.0 – will work with all Sony Wi-Fi enabled cameras in addition to the Cyber-shot QX series, and will be available immediately in both Google Play™ and App Store™. The updated application will feature:

  • Embedded Photo Browser – A “Quick Viewer” photo browser has been added to the PlayMemories Mobile application, which will allow for seamless navigation between shooting images and viewing images in playback mode.
  • Improved Speed and Functionality – The newest version of the application will have improved connectivity speed when linking to devices running the Apple iOS™ platform. More specifically, connection start up time will be approximately twice as fast compared to previous versions of the PlayMemories Mobile application.

Sony will be releasing another software update in Spring 2014 to improve connectivity speed with Android devices.

CAMERA FIRMWARE UPDATE

Additionally, there will be a firmware update for QX cameras in January which will add a variety of exciting capabilities including:

  • Full HD Movie Recording (QX100 and QX10): Both of the Cyber-shot QX Series cameras will have the ability to shoot Full HD 1080p video (1920×1080@30p in MP4) after the firmware update.
  • Shutter Priority (“S”) Mode (QX100 only): The Shutter Priority (“S”) mode will be added to the QX100 camera to allow direct access control to shutter speed.
  • Expanded ISO Shooting Range (QX100 and QX10): Each of the cameras will be able to shoot at higher ISO settings for greater versatility in low-light conditions. The QX10 camera will be expanded from max ISO 1600 to max ISO 3200. The QX100 camera will be expanded from max ISO 3200 to max ISO 12800.
QX100 QX10
Mode Now After update Now After update
Program auto ISO 160 – 3200 160 – 12800 100 – 1600 100 – 3200
Aperture priority ISO 160 – 3200 160 – 12800 N/A N/A
Shutter priority ISO N/A 160 – 12800 N/A N/A
Shutter
speed		 N/A 30 – 1/2000 s N/A N/A
Movie
(MP4)		 Image
size		 1440×1080/30p 1920×1080/30p 1440×1080/30p 1920×1080/30p

via Dpreview.

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Sony USA chief Phil Molyneux has to give up his post after terrible U.S. sales.

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Phil Molyneux

BGR reports that Sony kicked top executive Phil Molyneux to the curb after terrible U.S. sales. This isn’t directly related to the digital camera business. But it’s one more sign of the difficult time almost all electronic giants are facing. Let’s hope Sony CEO Hirai will find the way out of this crisis. At least on the digital camera front Sony did quite many things right with in 2013. Let’s hope 2014 will be even better!

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Superdeal: Sony RX100 for $408! RX10 for $937! Up to 65% off on Sony cards.

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[shoplink 23538 ebay][/shoplink]

HOT DEAL ONE: This is marked as the one Big Deal of the day at eBay and will run for 1 day only: You can grab the [shoplink 23538 ebay]Sony RX100 for $408 only(!) at eBay US (Click here)[/shoplink]. That’s almost $150 off than the current price in other stores like for example Amazon.

HOT DEAL TWO: There are a couple of OPEN BOX RX10 for $937 at Adorama (Click here). And there is also a first $60 rebate on the Sony RX10 at Amazon US (Click here).

This also runs today only: Up to %65 off on Sony flash cards at Amazon US (Click here to see the long list).

Current hot Sony deals:
NEX-7 superkit at BHphoto (Click here). For $999 you get camera, two lenses, bag and SD card!
$50 off an plenty of free extras on the RX100II at BHphoto (Click here).
Sony Wish & Win Sweepstakes for your chance to win big at Amazon US (Click here).
Buy a Qualifying Sony NEX Compact System Camera and Save up to $200 on Select Sony Lenses at Amazon US (Click here).
Sony NEX-3N M with 16-50mm Lens and $50 gift card for $398 at BHphoto (Click here).

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Sony says: We will keep surprising you in 2014!

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Sony manager MR. Kimio has been interviewed at Dc.watch (google translation here).

1) The first part of the interview is about the current stagnation on the camera market. And he talks about the Xperia Z1 and the QX cameras to be one of Sony’s way to win young people and balance the losses in the compact camera business.
2) Sony will focus on more high-end photographic products.
3) Sony will keep focusing on creating something new and they will “surprise” us.
4) We will definitely NOT stop to produce A-mount cameras.
5) The Sony manager literally says that next year quite some people will say: “What the heck is this?” as soon as they see some of the very innovative new Sony cameras :)

As you know here on SAR we talked a lot about some crazy tech developed by Sony: The new Non-Bayer sensor, the Z-shift sensor cameras, liquid lens tech and so on. What would really surprise you?

Found via Mirrorlessrumors.

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Samyang officially releases the five E-mount Full Frame lenses.

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Samyang Europe officially announced the release of five Full Frame E-mount lenses for your A7-A7r camera. These are great lenses but you have to know that these have been designed for DSRL cameras. It means they are bigger than they could be of Samyang would have designed them specifically for the FF E-mount. So nothing has changed between that E-mount version and the other Canon/Nikon Sony A-mount versions. They only made it fit to E-mount by making a longer tube :)

These are the lenses (no preorder links available yet):

• Samyang 14mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC
• Samyang 24mm f/1.4 ED AS IF UMC
• Samyang T-S 24mm f/3.5 ED AS UMC
• Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC
• Samyang 85mm f/1.4 AS IF UMC

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